Cellular Phone Configured with Off-Board Device Capabilities and Starter/Charger and Battery Testing Capabilities

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connects to an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of an off-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnostic information relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phone connects to a starter/charger system and/or a battery to perform the functions of a starter/charger/battery testing device. Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data link connector located in a vehicle, download software to either an adaptor or the cellular phone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicle and view the results on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results to another person or device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/274,891, entitled, “Cellular Phone Configuredwith Off-Board Device Capabilities and Starter/Charger and BatteryTesting Capabilities,” filed Nov. 28, 2008, which claims priority to andis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/785,992,entitled “Cellular Phone Configured with Off-Board Device Capabilitiesand Starter/Charger and Battery Testing Capabilities,” filed Apr. 23,2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,463,959, which claims priority to and is adivision of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/437,154, entitled“Cellular Phone Configured with Off-Board Device Capabilities andStarter/Charger and Battery Testing Capabilities,” filed May 13, 2003,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,209,813, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electrical testing equipment,and, more particularly, to a cellular phone configured to connect to avehicle diagnostic system to perform the functions of an off-boarddevice, such as a scan tool, for retrieving and viewing diagnosticinformation relating to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern vehicles typically have a vehicle diagnostic system, includingone or more separate computer control modules. Examples of such computercontrol modules (also known as just “modules”) are: a powertrain controlmodule (PCM), an engine control module (ECM), a transmission controlmodule (TCM), an ABS control module, and an air bag control module.

“Off-board devices,” such as scan tools and code readers are known inthe art. Scan tool and code reader testing devices interface withvehicle diagnostic systems to, e.g., access, display, and/or printvehicle diagnostic information. OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics version II)Scan Tools are one commonly known type of scan tool and are governed bya number of standards, e.g., SAE J1978 Rev. 1998-02 and SAE J1979 Rev.1997-09. Scan tools are relatively expensive diagnostic devices thathave a relatively large number of features and are typically marketed toprofessional automobile mechanics and service stations. Scan tools aregenerally considered to be beyond the means of most automobile hobbyistsand the ordinary individual interested in performing simple maintenanceor service of a few vehicles, such as a family “fleet” of vehicles.

There are different types of scan tools. An “OBD II Scan Tool” complieswith the above-identified specifications. By contrast, a“Manufacturer-Specific Scan Tool” is a scan tool that accesses anddisplays proprietary manufacturer-specific data (and possibly alsoadditionally accesses and displays OBD II data). Examples include DeviceControls on General Motors, On-Demand Tests in Ford, Actuator Tests,Sensor Tests, Interrogator, and Read Temporary Codes in Chrysler. Ingeneral, air bag data, ABS data, cruise control data, and climatecontrol data are also considered to be proprietary manufacturer-specificdata and are typically included only in Manufacturer-Specific ScanTools.

An “off-board device” that is a low-cost alternative to the scan tool isa “code reader.” In 1998 Actron Manufacturing Corp., the assignee of thepresent invention, pioneered the first OBD II code reader. In contrastwith a scan tool, a code reader is a relatively basic “off-board device”that links with one or more computer modules in a vehicle diagnosticsystem via a vehicle computer network, reads any diagnostic troublecodes (also referred to as just “diagnostic codes” herein) asserted bythose vehicle diagnostic systems, and displays any diagnostic codes on adisplay. Typical code readers do not perform the following majorfunctions that are performed by typical scan tools: “View Data,” alsoknown as “Live Data,” “Data,” and “Data Test, DTC” (viewing anddisplaying in real-time live, changing data from a plurality of modulesensors), display of textual diagnosis descriptions corresponding to thevarious diagnostic codes, recording and playback of data, device control(manually controlling modules for diagnostic purposes), and reading anddisplaying vehicle information from the vehicle's computer (e.g., VINinformation, controller calibration identification number, etc.). Codereaders are typically marketed to automobile hobbyists andnon-professionals who are merely curious about what codes the variousvehicle diagnostic systems have stored in their memories.

Off-board devices typically do not include test circuits. Ratheroff-board devices, such as scan tools and code readers, typicallycommunicate with the vehicle diagnostic system, which does typicallyinclude one or more test circuits. Thus, typical off-board devices donot perform any tests themselves; with few exceptions (e.g., the NGSscan tool with its harness tester, “sensor simulation”), off-boarddevices merely report the results of tests performed by test circuitryexternal to the off-board device.

One expense involved in manufacturing scan tools is the costs of theparts, such as the processor, circuit boards, display, housing and inputkeys. Another expense associated with scan tools is the software thatneeds to be installed on the device. There are many different makes andmodels of automobiles, many of which have specialized codes and errormessages. In addition, since vehicle manufacturers add new equipment,codes and faults, it is often necessary to update the software toinclude the new codes and faults every time a new model year isintroduced. Further, most scan tools are equipped to handle thecommunications protocols and error/fault messages of most, if not all,of the vehicles on the market. This requires the scan tool to store alarge number of error/fault codes and many different communicationsprotocols. As a result, the cost of the scan tool is beyond the reach ofthe average back yard mechanic, who only has one or two automobiles.

Cellular phones are commonplace in today's society and have processors,circuit boards, displays, housings and input keys. Further, mostcellular phone service providers offer free cellular phones to peoplewho sign a contract to use the provider's service for a minimal periodof time, generally two years. At the end of the two year contract, mostpeople simply discard the old cellular phone and obtain a new cellularphone with a new contract. Further due to economies of scales, cellularphones have become inexpensive and common place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connectsto an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of anoff-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnosticinformation relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phoneconnects to a starter/charger system or a battery to perform thefunctions of a starter/charger/battery testing device.

Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data linkconnector located in a vehicle, and/or a starter/charger/battery systemvia an adaptor, download software to either the adaptor or the cellularphone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicleand/or diagnostic tests on the starter/charger system and view theresults on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results toanother person or device.

The present invention provides a low cost portable off-board device forviewing and/or recording live data, for example vehicle emissionstesting station (VETS) data, diagnosing faults and/or errors in vehiclecomputer systems that allows a user to download the required errorand/or fault codes that are specific to the year, make and model of oneor more automobiles, or upload the data to remote location forinterpretation of the information received from the vehicle diagnosticsystem.

The present invention provides a low cost portable off-board device fortesting the emissions output of a vehicle and transmitting the data toan inspection & maintenance station wherein the inspector can testvehicle emissions and transmit the test results to the inspectionstation location apart from the inspection station.

The present invention further allows the user to diagnose errors/faultsin the vehicle and transport the diagnostic results to an automotiveparts supplier, who can assist the user in obtaining the necessary partsto correct the cause of the fault/error, or upload the information to acentralized station for detailed analysis.

Still yet, the present invention allows a user to update the software ina location remote from a computer.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a low cost portableoff-board device that does not require scanning software, wherein theoff-board device gathers the raw diagnostic information and communicatesthe information to a centralized station to be analyzed.

The present invention further provides a low coststarter/charger/battery testing device.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from a detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein andconstitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the inventionare illustrated, which, together with a general description of theinvention given above, and the detailed description given below, serveto example the principles of this invention, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a cellular phone connected to an existingvehicle data link via an adaptor in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a cellular phone connected to a batteryvia an adaptor in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a high level block diagram of a typical cellular phone inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a high level block diagram of an adaptor in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a high level block diagram of an adaptor in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a cellular phone connected to an existingvehicle data link via a cradle adaptor in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a schematic view of a cellular phone connected to a batteryvia a cradle adaptor in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cellular phone connected to a vehiclecomputer module in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a centralcomputer and phone line for transmitting signals to and receivingsignals from a cellular phone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the present invention includes an adaptor that interfacesbetween a cellular phone having a processor and an existing vehicle datalink connector. The existing vehicle data link is connected to a vehiclediagnostic system. The adaptor places the processor of the cellularphone in circuit communication with the vehicle diagnostic system.

“Circuit communication” as used herein indicates a communicativerelationship between devices. Direct electrical, electromagnetic, andoptical connections and indirect electrical, electromagnetic, andoptical connections are examples of circuit communication. Two devicesare in circuit communication if a signal from one is received by theother, regardless of whether the signal is modified by some otherdevice. For example, two devices separated by one or more of thefollowing—amplifiers, filters, transformers, optoisolators, digital oranalog buffers, analog integrators, other electronic circuitry, fiberoptic transceivers, Bluetooth communications links, 802.11b, or evensatellites—are in circuit communication if a signal from one iscommunicated to the other, even though the signal is modified by theintermediate device(s). As another example, an electromagnetic sensor isin circuit communication with a signal if it receives electromagneticradiation from the signal. As a final example, two devices not directlyconnected to each other, but both capable of interfacing with a thirddevice, e.g., a CPU, are in circuit communication.

As discussed earlier, most modern vehicles have one or more computermodules that are linked together along a common data bus. The modulesand common data bus together form the vehicle diagnostic system.Vehicles equipped with vehicle diagnostic systems generally have a datalink connector located in the occupant compartment of the vehicle,however data link connectors can be located anywhere on the vehicle. Thedata link connector is connected to the vehicle diagnostic system. Thepurpose of the data link connector is to facilitate the connection of ascan tool that can be used to read the error/fault codes that aregenerated by the vehicle computer modules.

FIG. 1A illustrates a scan tool 100 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. The scan tool 100 includes a cellular phone 101,a DLC adaptor 130, and a data link connector (DLC) 126 all in circuitcommunication with the existing vehicle diagnostic system via theexisting vehicle data link connecter 128.

The cellular phone 101, as will be described in more detail below,includes a housing 102, an antenna 104, a display 106, a plurality ofinput keys 108, and an interface port 220 (FIG. 2). The interface port220 can be any type of communications interface port, such as a serialport, a USB port, an infrared port, an RS 232 port, a port that isproprietary to the manufacturer of the cellular phone 101, or any otherconventional communications port. Preferably the cellular phone 101 hasa USB port (not shown) and is connected to the DLC adaptor 130 via a USBconnector 120 and cable 122. The DLC adaptor 130 is connected to theexisting vehicle data link connector 128 via a DLC 126 and cable 124.

Preferably the cellular phone is a compact hand held cellular phone, forexample a Motorola cellular phone that is approximately 2″ wide by 3½″long by 1″ deep. Preferably the cellular phone has input keys 108arranged in the configuration of a standard phone containing at leastten keys, 0 9, and preferably arranged in four rows. The first rowcontaining keys 1, 2 and 3; the second row containing keys 4, 5, and 6;the third row containing keys 7, 8, and 9; and the fourth row containingkey 0. Alternatively the input keys can be represented by a graphicaldisplay. The graphical display can be a touch screen display andactivated by pressing on the screen, or displayed on a conventionaldisplay and activated by scrolling around the screen using other inputkeys.

Similarly, FIG. 1B illustrates a starter/charger tester 110 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention and is shownconnected to a battery 150. Just as above, the starter/charger tester110 includes a cellular phone 101, a test circuit adaptor 133, and inaddition the starter/charger tester 110 includes a cable 140, and clips142A and 142B. Preferably cable 140 and clips 142 provide a Kelvin typeconnection between the adaptor 133 and the battery 150. A Kelvin typeconnection is a four (4) wire connection, wherein two wires areconnected to each terminal of the battery. The test circuit adaptor 133,described in more detail below, cable 140 and clips 142A, 142B place thecellular phone in circuit communications with the battery 150.

Preferably, in addition to testing the battery, the starter/chargersystem tester is capable of testing the alternator and the starter motorof a vehicle. A typical starter/charger system tester is fully describedin Actron's co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/813,104 entitledHandheld Tester for Starting/Charging Systems, and Actron's copendingcontinuation application also entitled Handheld Tester forStating/Charging Systems, which are incorporated herein in theirentirety.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical cellular phone. The cellular phone 101includes a display 106, at least one input device 210, memory 215, aninterface port 220, a speaker 240, a microphone 235, and an antenna 104,all in circuit communications with at least one processor 230. Typicallythe display 106 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), however the displaycan be one or more of virtually any type of display, e.g., textualdisplays (such as n character by m line LCD or plasma displays, etc.),binary displays (such as LEDs, lamps, etc.), graphical displays (such asLCD displays that can display text and bar graphs and the like), etc.

The input device 210 can be any number of different inputs devices,including, but not limited to, one or more keys 108 (FIG. 1), a thumbwheel (not shown) that permits a user to quickly scroll through a listof options, a four-direction cursor controller, a touch screen, a voiceactivated input, or any combination thereof. The memory 215 permits theuser to store information, such as names and phone numbers, that do notget erased when the battery is removed from the phone for short periodsof time, and permits the cellular phone service provider to update theprogramming as required. The cellular phone 101 has a telecommunicationscircuit 225 for establishing a connection to a cellular tower andtransmitting and receiving data via the antenna 104. The speaker 240 andthe microphone 235 are shown connected to the processor, however, thespeaker 240 and microphone 235 are often connected to thetelecommunications circuit 225. Data representing a human voice istransmitted to the speaker 240 by either the telecommunications circuit225 or the processor 230, wherein the data is communicated to a user inhuman hearable form. The microphone 235 transmits data representing ahuman voice to either the telecommunications circuit 225 or theprocessor 230. Data representing a human voice is transmitted/receivedby the telecommunications circuit 225 to/from a remote location.

In addition, the cellular phone has an interface port 220. The interfaceport 220 permits the user to connect the cellular phone 101 to otherdevices, such as a computer, in order to perform functions such asdownloading new programming information, downloading sound bites, andconnecting other peripheral devices. As discussed above, the interfaceport 220 can be any communications port.

FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of an adaptor in accordance with thepresent invention. The DLC adaptor 130 for use with the cell phone 101as an off-board device includes communications circuitry 315 andinterface circuitry 305 in circuit communication with a processor 320.The processor circuit 320, also referred to herein as just processor320, may be one of virtually any number of processor systems and/orstand-alone processors, such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, anddigital signal processors, and has associated therewith, eitherinternally therein or externally in circuit communication therewith,associated RAM, ROM, EPROM, clocks, decoders, memory controllers, and/orinterrupt controllers, etc. (all not shown) known to those in the art tobe needed to implement a processor circuit. The processor is incommunication with the communications circuit 315. The communicationscircuitry 315, and interface circuitry 305 are shown inside the DLCadaptor 130 for convenience purposes only and it should be obvious toone skilled in the art that the circuitry could be located outside theDLC adaptor 130 in a number of convenient locations.

The communications circuit 315 generates one or more communicationsprotocols with which the cellular phone 101 and the vehicle computernetwork communicate with one-another. The communications circuit 315 canbe implemented either in hardware, or in software, or in a combinationof hardware and software. Typical communications protocols generated bythe communication circuit 315 include but are not limited to: SAE J1850(VPM), SAE J1850 (PWM), ISO 9141-2, and ISO 14230-4 (“Keyword 2000”).The present invention is not intended to be limited to any specificcommunications protocol, or even to electrical communications protocols.Other present and future protocols, such as fiber optic, ISO 15765-4, MSCAN, HS CAN and wireless communications protocols such as Bluetoothprotocols and 802.11b protocols, are also contemplated as being withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

The interface circuitry 305 permits the DLC adaptor 130 to be connectedto the interface port 220 of the cellular phone. As noted earlier, theinterface port 220 of the cellular phone can be any type ofcommunications interface port, such as a serial port, a USB port, aninfrared port, an RS 232 port, an Ethernet port, a port that isproprietary to the manufacturer of the cellular phone 101, or any otherconventional communications port or wireless link, such as Bluetoothcommunications link. The interface circuitry 305 of the DLC adaptor 130facilitates the connection of the interface port 220 with the DLCadaptor 130.

The DLC adaptor 130 includes memory 321 that is separate from theprocessor, but is in circuit communications with the processor.Preferably the memory is random access memory RAM. The DLC adaptor 130can contain the scan tool software, error/fault codes, communicationsprotocols etc. and simply communicate to the results of the diagnostictests in a format corresponding to the diagnostic information to thecellular phone 101 for display. On the other hand, the function of theDLC adaptor 130 can be as simple as a communications translator, whereinthe cellular phone 101 generates the communications protocol, transmitsthe communications to the DLC adaptor 130 via the interface port 220,e.g. a USB port, the DLC adaptor 130 receives the communications andpasses the communications over a data link connector (DLC) 126 to thevehicle diagnostic system.

The DLC adaptor 130 as described above is a relatively intelligent DLCadaptor 130. The functions described above, however, can be performed incellular phone circuitry, modified in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention. Thus the adaptor could be as simple as a cable toplace the cellular phone in circuit communications with the vehiclediagnostic system, or eliminated entirely by using wirelesscommunications.

Further, the adaptor circuitry need not be in a separate device and canbe built into the cellular phone wherein the user simply needs toconnect the cellular phone to the existing vehicle data link. Thus, anunintelligent adaptor could be used, wherein the unintelligent adaptormerely consists of a cable with a connector on each end. One of theconnectors connects to the cellular phone, and one connector, such as aDLC connector connects to the vehicle diagnostic system. In addition,vehicle manufacturers may eliminate the data link connectors located inthe occupant compartment, and replace the data link connector with awireless communications. It is within the spirit and scope of thisinvention that the cellular phone 101 can be connected to the vehiclediagnostic system by a wireless communications port.

FIG. 3B illustrates a test circuit adaptor 133 in accordance with thepresent invention. Preferably the test circuit adaptor 133, for use withthe cell phone 101 as a starter/charger system tester, comprisesinterface circuitry 305, a processor 320 and memory 321 as describedabove, and further includes an electronic test circuit 350 all incircuit communication. Preferably the starter/charger system tester isconfigured to test at least one of a starter motor, a battery and analternator in a vehicle.

The test circuit adaptor 133, shown in FIG. 3B, preferably includes anelectronic test circuit 350 that tests the starting/charging system (notshown). The test circuit 350 preferably includes a discrete test circuit360 in circuit communication with an associated processor 320. In thealternative, the test circuit 350 can consist of discrete test circuit360 without an associated processor circuit. Additional informationrelating to the function of the test circuit can be found in Actron'sco-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/813,104 entitled Handheld Testerfor Starting/Charging Systems, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

The interface circuitry 305 permits the test circuit adaptor 133 to beconnected to the interface port 220 of the cellular phone. As notedearlier, the interface port 220 of the cellular phone can be any type ofcommunications interface port, such as a serial port, a USB port, aninfrared port, an RS 232 port, an Ethernet port, a port that isproprietary to the manufacturer of the cellular phone 101, or any otherconventional communications port or wireless link, such as Bluetoothcommunications link. The interface circuitry 305 of the test circuitadaptor 133 facilitates the connection of the interface port 220 withthe test circuit adaptor 133.

The test circuit adaptor 133 includes memory 321 that is separate fromthe processor, but is in circuit communications with the processor.Preferably the memory is random access memory RAM. Preferably, the testcircuit adaptor 133 contains the starter/charger test circuitry andexecutable code to diagnose the starter/charger system and simplycommunicate the results of the diagnostic tests in a format suitable forviewing on the cellular phone display 106. Alternatively, the cellularphone 101 can contain executable code to diagnose the starter/chargersystem and receive raw data from the test circuit adaptor 133 anddisplay the results on the display 106. In addition, as will bediscussed in more detail below, the starter/charger system and/orbattery test results can be communicated to a second location via thecellular phone telecommunications circuit 225.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A is similar to that described inrelation to FIG. 1A. The cellular phone 101 is in circuit communicationwith the vehicle diagnostic system (not shown) via vehicle data linkconnector 128, DLC 126, cable 124, and a cradle adaptor 405. The cradleadaptor 405 includes the circuitry described above in relation to theDLC adaptor 130 and the cradle adaptor 405 is configured to receive thecellular phone 101. The cradle adaptor 405 has a mating port 410configured to interface with the cellular phone interface port 220 (FIG.2). The mating port 410 can be any conventional mating port, such as aUSB port, an RS 232 port, a serial port, an infrared port, or even aproprietary port, that is capable of connecting the cradle adaptor 405to the cellular phone 101 and placing the processor 230 (FIG. 2) of thecellular phone 101 in circuit communications with the cradle adaptor405. In most cases the cellular phone simply sits in the cradle adaptor405 in order to establish communication with the cradle adaptor 405. Inother cases the cellular phone needs to be pushed down into the cradleadaptor 405 so that the interface port 220 (FIG. 2) connects to themating port 410.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B is similar to that described inrelation to FIG. 1B. The cellular phone 101 is in circuit communicationwith the vehicle starter/charger system and/or the battery via cable140, clips 142A and 142B, and a cradle adaptor 407. The cradle adaptor407 includes the circuitry described above in relation to the testcircuit adaptor 133 and the cradle adaptor 407 is configured to receivethe cellular phone 101. The cradle adaptor 407 has a mating port 412configured to interface with the cellular phone interface port 220 (FIG.2). The mating port 412 can be any conventional mating port, such as aUSB port, an RS 232 port, a serial port, an infrared port, or even aproprietary port, that is capable of connecting the cradle adaptor 407to the cellular phone 101 and placing the processor 230 (FIG. 2) of thecellular phone 101 in circuit communications with the cradle adaptor407. In most cases the cellular phone simply sits in the cradle adaptor407 in order to establish communication with the cradle adaptor 407. Inother cases the cellular phone needs to be pushed down into the cradleadaptor 407 so that the interface port 220 (FIG. 2) connects to themating port 412.

The adaptors have been described herein in separate embodiments,however, one adaptor can be configured to provide an interface betweenthe cellular phone and both the vehicle diagnostic system and thestarter/charger system. Further, it is also within the spirit and scopeof the invention for the adaptor to have a cable to connect to thevehicle diagnostic system and a cable to connect to thestarter/charger/battery system. Furthermore, it is also contemplatedthat the adaptor be configured with one connector for use withinterchangeable leads, such that a first cable can be releasablyconnected to the adaptor to place the adaptor in circuit communicationwith the vehicle diagnostic system, and a second cable can be releasablyconnected to the adaptor to place the adaptor in circuit communicationwith the starter/charger system, or a battery.

Further, one embodiment provides for automatically detecting which cableis connected to the device, and automatically performing the correcttesting function based on the type of cable connected to the device.Additional information relating to the interchangeable leads andauto-detection of the leads can be found in Actron's copending patentapplication Ser. No. 09/813,104, Handheld Tester for Starting/ChargingSystems, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIG. 5 illustrates one more embodiment of the present invention. Thecellular phone 101 is similar to the cellular phones described above. Inthis embodiment, the cellular phone communicates directly with a vehiclecomputer module 510. The cellular phone 101 does not require an adaptorto communicate with the vehicle computer module. The communicationscircuit could be facilitated through a number of standard connections,such as a USB port (not shown) on the cellular phone 101 to a serialport (not shown) on the vehicle computer module. The type of connectionbetween the cellular phone 101 and the vehicle computer module isimmaterial in this embodiment so long as the communications link isestablished. In this respect, while the illustration depicts thecommunications circuit as a cable 505, the communications circuit canestablished in any of the methods discussed above.

The operation of one embodiment of the present invention is described inrelation to FIG. 6. A central computer system 600 is installed up in aremote location. A central computer system is described herein; however,a plurality of remote computers that may or may not be linked togetherare included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. Theremote computers can be stand alone computers or computers and systemused by parts suppliers at various locations. The computer system 600 isa conventional computer system and includes a keyboard 615 and a monitor610 in circuit communication with a CPU and a modem (not shown) that arelocated in an enclosure 605. It should be obvious to one skilled in theart that the modem is not required and the same function can be obtainedusing a network connection to the internet. The modem is connected to aphone line 630, which through switching stations (not shown) and othervarious devices is capable of communicating through one or more cellulartowers 640, permitting the CPU to be in circuit communication with acellular phone 101.

A user purchases a DLC adaptor 130 that is suitable for use with thecellular phone 101 that he/she plans on using in conjunction with DLCadaptor 130 to form the scan tool 100. After purchasing the DLC adaptor130 the user opens the packaging and dials a phone number that isprovided along with an access code in the instruction manual (notshown). The phone number connects the user to the central computersystem 600 where the user is prompted to enter the access code and thenselect the year, make and model of one or more vehicles that he/shedesires to view the vehicle diagnostic information. After receiving therequired information, the computer system 600 communicates scan toolsoftware, including the proper communications protocol and error/faultcodes, for the identified vehicle to the cellular phone 101. Thecellular phone 101 stores the downloaded software in its memory 215.

In the alternative, the software package can be downloaded to the DLCadaptor 130 and stored in the memory of the DLC adaptor 130, or in acombination of both the memory in the cellular phone 101 as well as thememory of the DLC adaptor 130.

In addition, the complete software packages can be distributed to athird party, such as a parts supplier, who could identify the cellularphone and the year(s), make(s) and model(s) of the vehicles to be testedand directly communicate the required software to the cellular phone 101or the adaptor at the time of purchase, and thus eliminate the need todial up a central computer to download the required software.

After the software is downloaded and stored on the cellular phone 101,or on the DLC adaptor 130, the user places the DLC adaptor 130 incircuit communication with the vehicle diagnostic system (not shown) byconnecting the DLC 126 to the existing vehicle data link connector 128.Next the user connects the cellular phone 101 to the DLC adaptor 130 byinserting connector 120 into the interface port 220 (FIG. 2) of thecellular phone 101, by inserting the cellular phone 101 into the cradleadaptor 405 (FIG. 4), or by establishing communication in any othermanner. The cellular phone 101 is turned on and the scan tool program isinitiated. The scan tool program may be initiated by selecting theoption on the cellular phone and pressing an input key 108, orautomatically initiated by connecting the cellular phone 101 to the DLCadaptor 130.

The scan tool 100, including the cellular phone 101 and DLC adaptor 130,405, establishes the communications link in virtually any of the knowninterface methods, e.g. using the method set forth in copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/159,957, publication number US2003/000463 “Scan Tool with Dropped Communication Detection and Recoveryand Improved Protocol Selection,” which is assigned to ActronManufacturing and which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Depending on the intelligence of the DLC adaptor 130, either theprocessor 230 and communications circuitry in the cellular phone 101, orthe processor 320 and communications circuitry 315 in the DLC adaptor130, generate one or more communications protocols with which the scantool 100 and the vehicle computer modules communicate with one-another.The communications circuit can be implemented either in hardware, or insoftware, or in a combination of hardware and software. Typicalcommunications protocols generated by the communication circuit includebut are not limited to: SAE J1850 (VPM), SAE J1850 (PWM), ISO 9141-2,and ISO 14230-4 (“Keyword 2000”). The present invention is not intendedto be limited to any specific communications protocol, or even toelectrical communications protocols. Other present and future protocols,such as fiber optic and wireless communication protocols, are alsocontemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

Again, depending on the intelligence level of the adaptor, thediagnostic information received from the vehicle diagnostic system canbe processed in the DLC adaptor 130 circuitry, or in the cellular phone101 circuitry. If the DLC adaptor 130 processes the diagnosticinformation, the information is communicated to the cellular phone 101via the interface circuitry 305 and the interface port 220 in a format,corresponding to the diagnostic information, ready to be viewed on thedisplay 106. If the DLC adaptor 130 is less intelligent, the DLC adaptor130 translates the diagnostic information and communicates theinformation to the cellular phone 101 via the interface circuitry 305and interface port 220 to the processor 230 of the cellular phone 101.The processor 230 processes the information and then displays theinformation to the user on the display 106.

In an alternative embodiment the cellular phone 101 is configured toretrieve the diagnostic information from the existing vehicle diagnosticsystem in any of the methods described above. The cellular phone 101does not have the scan tool diagnostic software downloaded and stored inits memory 215, nor in the memory of the DLC adaptor 130. The onlysoftware required in the cellular phone 101 is communications softwarefor gathering the information from the vehicle diagnostic system. Theinformation is communicated by the cellular phone 101 to a centralizedstation similar to the centralized station 500 shown in FIG. 5. Thecentralized station 600 receives the information and performs thediagnostic analysis and transmits the diagnosis back to the cellularphone 101. The diagnosis can be any type of information, such as agraphical display, a recommended parts list, or instructions on how tocorrect any faults.

The user can interpret the diagnostic information displayed on thecellular phone 101, or take the cellular phone 101 to a parts supplierwho can look at the data and provide the user with the necessary partsto correct the fault or error. In addition the user can transfer orupload the diagnostic information to another computer, either though thetelecommunications circuit 235, or through a plug in connector to alocal computer. The information can then be sent to a third party forviewing and/or analyzing.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofembodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described insome detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or inany way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail.Additional advantages and modifications will readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art. For example, a cellular phone that is permanentlymounted in a vehicle can be equipped with the technology of the presentinvention and perform the functions of the off-board device. Anotherexample is manufacturer installed circuitry in the vehicle connected tothe vehicle data bus, wherein the circuitry automatically monitors thevehicle diagnostic system and notifies the vehicle manufacturer ordealer of any problems. The user simply receives a courtesy call fromthe dealer to bring the vehicle in for service. As yet another example,although specific circuitry has been shown for the cellular phone, thepresent invention is intended to encompass virtually any cellular phonecircuitry in combination with the adaptor circuitry to implement anoff-board device. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is notlimited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods,and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departuresmay be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scopeof the applicant's general inventive concept.

1. A method of retrieving diagnostic information from a vehicle,comprising the steps of: connecting a cellular phone with an adaptorconfigured to connect with a vehicle diagnostic system; connecting theadaptor with the vehicle diagnostic system; communicating with thevehicle diagnostic system with a communications circuit of the adaptor;retrieving vehicle diagnostic information with a processor in theadaptor; and processing the diagnostic information with the processor ofthe adaptor.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying theprocessed diagnostic information on a display of the cellular phone. 3.The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: sending theprocessed diagnostic information to a remote device with atelecommunications circuit on the cellular phone; and displaying theprocessed diagnostic information on a display of the remote device. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting the cellular phone withthe adaptor is via a wireless or wired connection.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the communication circuit generates a vehiclecommunication protocol.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising thestep of: sending the processed diagnostic information to a remotelocation via the adaptor.
 7. A vehicle interface adaptor forcommunicating vehicle diagnostic information, comprising: a processorthat processes the vehicle diagnostic information; a memory that storesvehicle diagnostic information and diagnostic software, the memorycommunicates with the processor; a communication circuitry thatcommunicates with a vehicle diagnostic system and a remote computingdevice; a vehicle communication interface that connects with a data linkconnector in a vehicle; and a housing that house the processor, thememory, the communication circuitry and the vehicle communicationinterface.
 8. The adaptor of claim 7, wherein vehicle communicationinterface is the only external connection of the adaptor.
 9. The adaptorof claim 7, wherein the remote computing device is cellular phone. 10.The adaptor of claim 7, wherein the communication circuitry communicatesto the remote device via a wired or wireless connection.
 11. The adaptorof claim 7 further comprising: a battery interface that connects to avehicle battery.
 12. The adaptor of claim 7 further comprising: atesting interface that connects with starter/charger system of thevehicle.
 13. The adaptor of claim 11, wherein the adaptor canautomatically determine the active connection between the vehiclecommunication interface and the battery interface.
 14. The adaptor ofclaim 12, wherein the adaptor can automatically determine the activeconnection between the vehicle communication interface and the testinginterface.